Bill > HF480

This bill requires county attorneys to create detailed written records when dismissing felony criminal charges, including specific information such as the defendant's name, offense date, original charges, dismissed charges, victim support status, dismissal date, and reason for dismissal. County attorneys must then forward this information to the Sentencing Guidelines Commission (a state body that studies criminal sentencing practices) and publish the details on their public websites, with the important caveat that victim identifying information must be redacted. The Sentencing Guidelines Commission will be required to include a summary and analysis of these dismissal reports in its annual legislative report. The new requirements will take effect on August 1, 2025, and will apply to criminal charge dismissals occurring on or after that date. The goal appears to be increasing transparency around prosecutorial decision-making by creating a systematic way to track and review why criminal charges are being dismissed, while still protecting victims' privacy.

Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0480&ssn=0&y=2025